Steam-boiler furnace.



PATENTED AUG. 25, l903.

E. J. WOOD.

STEAM BOILER FURNAGE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 23. 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET1l No MODL.

.INVENTOR l WITNESSES:

' ATTURNEY ma Nonms PETERS co. Pnoramu, WASNINGTUH: D c

kNo. 737,309. v APATENTED AUG. 25, 1903.

E. J. Woon. STEAM BOILER PURNAGE.

- APPLICATION FILED AUG. 23. 190,2.

N0 MODEL.

z SHBBTSH'EET a.

oo. k P y I OO WITNESSES: INVENTOH ATTORNEY- UNTTED STATES Patented August 25, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

EDGAR J. WOOD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, AssIeNoR TO MARGARET A.

WOOD, on BROOKLYrLnEw YORK.

.SPECIFICATION forming part ofn Letters atent o. 737,309, dated August 25, 1 903. A

Application filed August 2s. 1902. sein No.12a74s. y(No modali E To all. whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR J. WOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, in the city and Stateof New York, have invented a certain newand useful Improvement in Steam-Boiler Furnaces, of which the following is a specification.

The improvement relates to both the burning of the fuel and the transfer of the heat the same rate as it is found by experimentv that the liberation of combustible gases from the fuel decreases. My apparatus holds the supply of air above the solid fuel 'entirely suppressed after the fire has attaineda certain stage until the period for firing again arrives, when the operation is repeated.

The invention also provides for holding back the hott-est gases until their heat is utilized and also for holding the heat ofthe gases stored and equalized at a high temperature, greatly contributing to continue the combustion when the temperature is momentarily low and even igniting the gases again when the flame has ceased.

The following is a'description of what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention. f

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure lis a side elevation of the boiler and certain checker-work under it, with a central longitudinal section of the boiler setting. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectionon the line 2 2 in Fig. 1. The remaining figures are on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing certain portions detached; and Fig. 4 is a horizontal section showing another portion detached.

Similar letters o'f reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where they appear.

A is the boiler, B the grate, and B' the ordinary side wall, and B2 the bridge-wall.

D isan air-pipe, of cast-iron or other suitable material, extending horizontally across the front over the fire-door, Dl a downward extension at one end, which puts it in free communication with the space in the ash-pit, and D2 a series of branch pipes leading from the main pipe D toward the interior of the furnace.

E is a steam-pipe peculiarly mounted in the interior of the air-pipe D, having a connection E', adapted to bring steam from outside freely into one end and provided with branches E2, with the tips a little contracted, which extend into and nearly through the air branches D2. This steam-pipe is secured in the front side of the interior of the airpipe by nuts E4, applied on threaded extensions E3, which extend out through correspondingly-spread holes e. When steam at any pressure above the atmosphere is supplied through the steam connection` E', it

blows through the steam-pipe E and branches E2 into the furnace, 'dragging with it a supply of air which is inducted through the pipe D and delivered under the influence of the jet through the branches D2.

Gis an inverted arch, of refractory material, as fire-brick, arranged at a little distance from the boiler and extending across the back end of the furnace a little forward of the bridge-wall B2. The upper edgeis concentric to the surface of the boiler, the space a be a portion of the resulting flame' can move through the narrow space a betweenthis bridge and the boiler, and another, usuallya much larger portion, is retarded and compelled to dive under thehanging bridge G, the coolest thus escaping and the hottest being retained until theyhave given their surplus heat to the boiler. H is another hanging bridge havinga corresponding form and similarly extending across the space under the back end of the boiler. In each the upper edge is concentric to the boiler. In each I arch the lower edge to about the extent shown, for the reason, among others, thatit involves the arch principle in maintaining the integrity of the structure under the intense heats to which the parts d, and more especially the part G, which is in the furnace, are subjected.

I is a mass of checker-work composed of fire-bricks of proper form, cross-piled, with liberal spaces between, as indicated in my patent of December 29, 1896. These masses greatly baffle the currents and store the heat when it is in excess and give it out again when it is momentarily deficient and tend to maintain a uniform application of the heat to the entire bottom of the boiler. this checker-work need not be strong,but must be of a very refractory quality. The principal purpose of this checker-work is to heat the gases when cooled by the opening of the fire-door or other cause and to maintain them at such a temperature that the injected airl and steam may combine, producing a perfect combustion and burning all the combustible matter, including the smoke-producing gases.

I provide for automatically introducing steam through the pipe K and provide for supplying therethrough either the exhauststeam from an engine (not shown) or live steam from the dome of the boiler A, as the conditions may render preferable.

.I is a live-steam pipe bringing steam at full pressure from the dome of the boiler A past the Valve J to the front of the boiler and thence delivers it downward through the vertical pipe K past a controlling-cock K', which is peculiarly constructed and operated and which performs important functions. When this cock K' is partially or completely opened, the strong steam correspondingly flows down through it through the connected pipes E and E, is blown into the furnace, accompanied by air, and promotes the combustion of the gases therein.

Lis a branch pipe from the exhaust of steamengine. (Not shown.) When the valve J is closed, the steam in the pipe L flows at a gentle pressure past a stop-valve L' and a check-Valve Lla into the same descending pipe K and thence into the upper portion of the furnace through the branches or nozzles E2. Under most conditions the gentle force of the exhaust-steam is sufficient to blow the required volume of fresh air through the gases and to complete the combustion of the gases therein; but when the engine is stopped, so

`no exhaust-steam is available, or when for any other reason it is desired to use live steam the attendant has but to open the cock J and the steam at full pressure or at any lower pressure becomesavailable. The check-valve L2 serves in such case to close the pipe L and prevent any reverse current therein.

I automatically vary the supply of steam and air as often as the fire-door is opened and fresh fuel is supplied. In the use of all coals, and more especially those which are bitumi- The bricks for v nous or partly bituminous, there is a more or less liberal giving od of combustible gases when a layer of fresh fuel is applied over the fire-grate. For a considerable period after such layer has been applied and the fire-door is closed a large quantity of combustible gases thus rise, and unless air is supplied above the grate such gases are unconsumed. As the heating and combustion of the fresh fuel proceed the quantity of such valuable gases given off decreases, and for a considerable period before it is time to apply fresh fuel there is little or no such gas given off. I provide for automatically accommodating the supply of air to these conditions, admitting steamnmost liberally, whether from the exhaust-steam pipe L or from the live-steam pipe J, during the first portion of each interval between the firings, thus allowing the steam to blow in at those periods with its fullest force. Later the steam to effect such blowing is gradually shut off and at or near the middle of the period the steam is entirely shut off, the quantity of air thrown into the furnace therewith being always closely proportional. I operate through the controlling-cock K'. When the fire-door is opened, this cock is opened and the mingled steam and air is blown in a number of parallel streams inclined downward in the upper portion of the furnace. This condition continues While the fresh fuel is being shoveled in and distributed, and it continues for a considerable period after the iiredoor is shut; but it gradually lessens. The apparatus may be adjusted so that the period can be longer or shorter.

M is an upright steam-cylinder; O, a piston moving therein and having a piston-rod O' extending down through a stuflingbox in the bottom and continued through a water-cylinder P below and out through the bottom' of the latter. The lower end O4 of the rod is knuckled toa piece NV, which serves both as a lever and as a slide. It engages by a long IOO IIO

slot w with a squared or T-shaped head on the plug of the cock K. On the rod O' within the cylinder P is fixed a piston O2, which receives an upward force from a helical spring Q.

O3 is a valve of the piston O2. It opens freely upward, but resists the movement of any fluid downward, except through the bypass, to be presently described.

R is a by-pass pipe leading from the top to the bottom of the cylinder P and is controlled by a valve R', which may be nicely adjusted by the attendant to make the movement of the water down through R more or less obstructed, as required. In preparing the apparatus for use the cylinder P and by-pass pipe R are filled with water or, preferably, dilute glycerin, which avoids difficulty from freezing.

A pipe S, onlya portion of which is shown, brings fresh steam from the boiler to a balanced and easily-movable valve T in the top of the cylinder M. In its elevated position vopens the conneotionfl from the boiler to the interior of the upper portion of the cylinder M. This depresses the piston O and through the rod O' compresses the spring Q, and no matter how soon after this nor how completely the balanced valve T is raised again the knuckle O4 will not rise again except by the slow passage of the glycerin from the top of the cylinder P down through the by-pass R into the bottom of such' cylinder. The rate at which this movement is permitted can be controlled within wide limits by adjusting the controlling valve R. Each time that the steam is let onto the upper surface of the piston O the depression of the rod'O carries down the knuckled end of the lever W, inducing the proper turning motion of the controlling cock K to widely open it. This movement increases the distance of the knuckle O4 from the cock K'. The slot w allows this piece W to slide in its connection to the cock in effecting this movement. Next on raising the valve T the steam escapes from above the piston 0, and the spring Q, asserting itself, slowly lifts the valved pist-on O2, with its connections, forcing the glycerin down through the by-pass R. By this movement the knuokled end of the lever W will be raised again and the cock K again closed. It follows that the mixture of steam and air is blown into the upper portion of the furnace during the period of firing and is gradually closed during a period afterward which may be more or less prolonged, according as the cock R' is adjusted.

I have devised simple mechanism for making the required automatic movement by which the valve T is opened when the firedoors are opened. The upper portion of the upper hinge X of the fire-door is finished in two planes at different levels X X3, joined by an inclined plane X2.V Immediately above this hinge and in line therewith is a rod Y, which is guided so that it can rise and sink, but cannot turn. The lower end of this rod is correspondingly finished with two planes at dilferent levels Y Y2 and an intermediate incline Y2. The upper end of this rod is knuckled to a lever Z, which turns on a fixed center M', with its opposite end knuckled to a stern T, operating the valve T. A spiral spring V, introduced under this lever. Z, ex-

erts a constant force tending to lift the valve T, and consequently to depress the rod Y. When the door is swungv open, it causes the incline X2 on the upper face of the door-hinge to slide under the corresponding incline Y2 on the lower face of the rod Y and raises such rod, thus rocking the lever Z and depressing the valve T in opposition to the force of thev T to again rise.

spring V. This position is maintained during the short period while the door is open and for a little time after. The closing of the fire-door removes the incline X2 from under the incline Y2 of the rod and allows the valve The movement of the valve T and its connections is prompt both downward and upward.` The movement of the piston O2 and its connections, on the contrary,

is slowed to any required degree in its rising,

according as the valve R is set more or less open.

Modifications may be made without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention.

Some parts of vthe apparatus can be used' without others. The spring V may be dispensed with and the rod Y made to operate by gravity. The controlling-cock R may be omitted, and the pipe R may veect the proper retardation of the liquid flowing downward withouteverrequiringadjustment. Thelivesteam pipe J or the exhaust-steam pipe L may be used without the other. v

The ash-pit is always sure to furnish a supply of air,.and in case there is artificial blowing into the ash-pit it is of advantage that the blowing through my apparatus shall be correspondingly increased in strength. The

.extension D is important for this reason and also for the reason that it reduces the noise in the fire-room when live steam is blown. Instead of being absolutely horizontal the pipe D may be arched a little, as the corresponding part I is arched in my patent of 1896 referred to.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a steam-boiler furnace the air-pipe D extending horizontally, adjacent to the upper portion,and branches D2 extendingto ward such portion, in combination with the pipe E connected with a source of steam and inclosed within the former and having corresponding branches E2 and with the cock. K', the spring Q for operating such cock in one direction, and the fire-door having on its upper face an inclined surface X2, the rod Y capable of rising and sinking but held against being revolved, having on its lower face the incline Y2 arranged to be raised by the opening of the door, the connected easily-worked valve T controlling the flow of the steam, the cylinder M and piston O operated therein to operate said cock in the reverse direction, all substantially as herein specified.

2. In a steam-boiler furnace, the air-pipel D extending horizonally adjacent to the upper portion, and branches D2 extending toward such portion, the pipe E connected with a source of steam and inclosed within the former and having corresponding branches E2 and the cock K' and connections for operating it by the act of opening and closing the lire-door, and provisions for holding such valve open a variable period and then closing the same'automatically after each firing, in combination with the live-steam pipe J IOO IOS,

connected to the boiler and the exhaust-steam pipe L connected to any convenient exhaustpipe, and the check-valve L2 adapted to allow live steam to be substituted and the ap- 5 paratus again restored to the first condition at will by turning the single cock J, all substantially as herein specified. j

3. In a steam-boiler furnace the air-pipe D extending horizontally adjacent to the upper portion, with branches D2 extending toward such portion, and the pipe E connected witha source of steam and inclosed Within the former and having corresponding branches E2, and with the cock K and connections for operating it by the act of opening and closing the fire-door, in combination with the piston O and its connections and lever W having the slot w engaged with freedom to slide laterally on the steam-cock K, all arranged for joint operation substantially as herein specified.

4. In a steam-boiler furnace the air-pipe D extending horizontally adjacent to the upper portion, and branches D2 extending toward such portion, in combination with the pipe E connected with a source of steam and inclosed within the former, and having corresponding branches E2and with the passage D connecting one end ot' D with the ash-pit, the hanging bridge G arranged in front of the bridge-wall B2 with the thin space a between it and the boiler too limited to allow the iow of the whole of the gases, all arranged for joint operation substantially as herein specified.

5. In a steam-boiler furnace the air-pipe D extending horizontally, adjacent to the upper portion, and branches D2 extending toward such portion, in combination with the pipe E connected with a source of steam and inclosed within the former, and having corresponding branches E2, and with the passage D' connecting one end of D with the ash-pit, the hanging bridge G arranged in front of the bridge-Wall B2 with a thin space a between it and the boiler less than sufficient to discharge the gases, and with the checkerwork I and the second hanging bridge II arranged near the back of the boiler, all adapted for joint service substantially as herein speciiied.

6. In combination with a steam-boiler furnace having provisions for blowing fresh air and steam therein, the valve T with connections for admitting steam therethrough, the tight piston O arranged to operate by such steam in the cylinder M and the connected perforated piston O2 the valve O3 and the spring Q, in the cylinder P, and with the bypass K and with the connection to a steamcock K' controlling the blowing, all arranged to serve substantially as herein specified.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDGAR J. WOOD.

Witnesses:

THOMAS DREW STETsoN, M. F. BoYLE. 

